Rome may have not been built in a day.
But its legacy began today, exactly 2,777 years ago.
Here are its greatest masterpieces... (thread) 🧵
1. The Pantheon (128AD)
But its legacy began today, exactly 2,777 years ago.
Here are its greatest masterpieces... (thread) 🧵
1. The Pantheon (128AD)
The Pantheon is, without a doubt, Rome's best preserved monument.
It is home to the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world - still even today, after almost 2,000 years since it was built.
It is home to the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world - still even today, after almost 2,000 years since it was built.
The very secret to its impeccable condition lies in Roman concrete itself.
When it rains, water seeps into the cracks and reacts with the calcium carbonate in the rock, plugging in any holes, virtually self-healing the dome.
When it rains, water seeps into the cracks and reacts with the calcium carbonate in the rock, plugging in any holes, virtually self-healing the dome.
3. The Colosseum (80AD)
Originally built under Emperor Titus, it stands as the world's biggest amphitheater, with a seated capacity of no more than 50,000.
The first games ran for 100 days straight, in honor of the completion of the great arena.
Originally built under Emperor Titus, it stands as the world's biggest amphitheater, with a seated capacity of no more than 50,000.
The first games ran for 100 days straight, in honor of the completion of the great arena.
More impressive above all, is the fact the the Romans managed to construct such a marvel in just a timespan of 8 years.
Their skill was unmatched.
Their skill was unmatched.
4. Trevi Fountain (1732)
An incredible showcase of Baroque architecture built from the very same material as the Colosseum (travertine stone).
The fountain façade features Neptune, the mythological Roman god of the sea, riding a chariot pulled by seahorses.
An incredible showcase of Baroque architecture built from the very same material as the Colosseum (travertine stone).
The fountain façade features Neptune, the mythological Roman god of the sea, riding a chariot pulled by seahorses.
According to legend, those who throw a coin into the fountain secure themselves a swift and inevitable return to Rome.
5. Piazza Navona (86AD)
An incredible historic square (once an ancient arena) that holds the keys to the Fountain of the Four Rivers.
A baroque masterpiece made by none other than Bernini himself in the 17th century.
An incredible historic square (once an ancient arena) that holds the keys to the Fountain of the Four Rivers.
A baroque masterpiece made by none other than Bernini himself in the 17th century.
6. Palazzo Spada (1540)
A historic palace home to a famous baroque gallery, originally built for Cardinal Capodiferro.
It is one of the earliest examples of an architectural trompe-l'oeil or "trick of the eye" featuring the Borromini Perspective.
A historic palace home to a famous baroque gallery, originally built for Cardinal Capodiferro.
It is one of the earliest examples of an architectural trompe-l'oeil or "trick of the eye" featuring the Borromini Perspective.
The forced perspective illusion of Borromini's courtyard is a stunning masterpiece.
Despite being only 8 meters length, the colonnade appears to be 30 meters long.
Despite being only 8 meters length, the colonnade appears to be 30 meters long.
7. Vittoriano (1911)
A grand monument built in honor of the first king of unified Italy, Victor Emmanuel II, symbolizing Italian unity and patriotism.
It is often referred to as the "typewriter" due to its white marble façade, much to the critique of the Italians...
A grand monument built in honor of the first king of unified Italy, Victor Emmanuel II, symbolizing Italian unity and patriotism.
It is often referred to as the "typewriter" due to its white marble façade, much to the critique of the Italians...
8. St Peter's Basilica (1506)
An iconic example of the Renaissance ideal of beauty, harmony and grandeur.
It stands as the largest church in the world by interior measure and at the time of construction, took 120 years from start to finish.
An iconic example of the Renaissance ideal of beauty, harmony and grandeur.
It stands as the largest church in the world by interior measure and at the time of construction, took 120 years from start to finish.
It is masterpiece within too.
Michelangelo designed the gigantic 448-foot dome, with the letters on the base alone, being a staggering 2 meters tall.
Undoubtedly, a true marvel.
Michelangelo designed the gigantic 448-foot dome, with the letters on the base alone, being a staggering 2 meters tall.
Undoubtedly, a true marvel.
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